Donald Robert Hand
Donald (Donnie) Robert Hand, Age 91, passed away in the early morning of Thursday October 8th, 2026
at Samaritan Keep Home Hospice after a brief illness
Arrangements are under the care of Allen-Denesha Funeral Home, 4330 US Highway 11, Dekalb
Junction, NY. Calling hours are Friday, October 16th, 2026 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Funeral Service at
12:00pm followed by burial at the Hermon Cemetery, Route 17, Hermon, NY (New Side of Street).
A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Friday, October 16th, 2026 after the burial starting at 6:00pm at the
Kendrew Grange, 693 Stevenson Road, Rensselaer Falls, NY.
Donnie was born Saturday, May 11th, 1935 in Ogdensburg, NY. He was the son of Gerald and Dorothy
(Stevenson) Hand
He is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Barbara (Murdock) Hand, son, Robert Hand and his wife,
Tammy (Voorhes) Hand, brothers, sister-in-law and sister: Hubert & Jean (McMartin), Richard Hand, Betty
(Hand) Harmon, Infant Sibling and his parents.
Brother & Sister-ln Law’s-Stewart & Dorothy (Howcroft) Murdock, Robert & Dorris Nell (Stiles) Murdock,
Emest & Mary (Bresette) Murdock, Lyle Murdock, Perry & Ruby (Murdock) Sterling, William
Murdock, Garth & Luella (Murdock) Robinson
He attended Dekalb Central School where he was a good student, especially in Mathematics. A trait he
passed on to all three of his children. His dream at that time was to become a Pilot. He had to drop out of
school in the 9th Grade to help out on the Family Dairy Farm when his older brother, Hubert, was drafted
into the US Army during the Korean Conflict.
Donnie married Barbara Murdock on June 14th, 1957 at the Heuvelton Methodist Church. They met at
the Kendrew Grange Dances in Rensselaer Falls, NY.
Donnie was an Entrepreneur at heart. He loved hardwork, freedom and the satisfaction that they both
gave him. He purchased his own 200 acres Dairy Farm bordering Beaver Creek at a young age and also
created his own Trucking Business. He hauled milk for Farmers to local Cheese Factories. Both Donnie
and his wife, Barb, worked side by side waking daily before dawn to do the milking and laying down to
rest well after the sun was down. Both Donnie & Barb had amazing work ethics that they had learned
from their parents and passed down to their children as well.
In the mid to late 1960’s, Donnie changed careers. He became a Semi-Truck Driver working for various
Trucking Companies and became a proud member Of the Teamsters Union. The Family Dairy Farm
became a hobby farm where he harvested hay to sell to local Farmers and Oats for his kid’s Horses.
His work caused him to be away from home often all week. When he came home usually on Friday
Nights, Barb would have a nice meal waiting for him. He would tell tales of his adventures on the road as
well as the interesting people he met delivering in the big cities.
His kids would beg him to choose the “Cookie Run” from Whittaker’s Trucking Company Dispatch
choices that would take him to New England delivering Drake Cakes that included Devil Dogs, Ring A
Dings and Yodels. The reason was that he would always bring home cases of Drake Cakes for his kids to
enjoy and purge on. He said that the Warehouse Supervisor would ask him if he had kids at home, then
kick a box or two and tell him to load in his truck cab to take home.
Donnie sold his 200 acres Hobby Farm and again followed his Entrepreneur Spirit and became an
Owner/Operator Trucker. Barb resigned from her job at St. Lawrence University as a Baker to
accompany him as a Cc-Driver/Owner.
He retired from Trucking and became very bored after a career of being on the road and on the move. He
then came out of retirement and drove school bus for Freeman Bus Lines (IRCS) as well as working at
Martin’s Pretzel Factory
His hobbies were fishing, camping, air shows, watching “Two and a Half Men” and Westerns. In younger
years, he was a CB enthusiast. He belonged to a CB Club and talked on his CB Set to people all over the
world on “skip”. His handle was “Red Cadillac” which was a nickname for his much-loved red and white
Cheyenne Chevy Pickup Truck. He involved the whole family with this hobby. They all had handles and
attended Club Meetings with him. Yes, the “Pumpkin Lady”, “Little Red” and “The Shy One” all
participated. His call sign KPZ3593. Curiously, his family also discovered a hidden talent, country singing,
when participating in Karaoke at Family Events.
Donnie is survived by his two daughters and son-in-laws, Ronald & Donna (Hand) Wiley (Lafargeville,
NY), Julie (Hand) Brooks (Las Vegas, NV) and Bobby Brooks (Los Angeles, CA). Grandsons,
Granddaughter and Great-Grandaughter, Ryan Brooks (Palmdale, CA), Anthony Wiley (Maiden, NC),
Logan Hand (Antwerp, NY), Olivia Brooks (Fulton, NY) and Eleonor Wiley, (Maiden, NC)
Sister In Laws, Carol Berkley (Peck, ID) and Beatrice Murdock (Rensselaer Falls, NY)
He also has many nieces and nephews in Canada, upstate NY and NC.
Donnie was a lifelong animal lover. His family found a baby fox and took it in as a pet on the Farm. He
talked fondly of the fox called “Foxy’. During the time when he was a Dairy Farmer, he cared for many
animals as well.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Lawrence Valley SPCA 315-393-5191 , PO Box 594,
Ogdensburg, NY 13669 in remembrance of Donald Robert Hand.